RICE WHITE TIP NEMATODE (APHELENCHOIDES BESSEYI) IN RICE GROWING AREAS OF TURKEY [EL NEMATODO DE LA PUNTA BLANCA DEL ARROZ (APHELENCHOIDES BESSEYI) EN ZONAS DE CULTIVO DE ARROZ DE TURQUÍA]

Abstract

White tip nematode (Aphelenchoides besseyi Christie, 1942) is economically important in rice growing areas and ithas been recorded in many countries. In this study systematic sampling of rice seed samples of different region in Turkeywas done. Aphelenchoides besseyi individuals obtained were evaluated morphologically and fit the original definition ofprevious morphometric and morphological characteristics. We found Turkey specimens to have a shorter spear (8.95 μm)but Allen (1952) and Fortuner (1970) found the spear length to be 10 μm and 11.9 μm, respectively.